April 14, 2007Council for the Study of Community Colleges Leading the Rural Community College: The Role of Community Pamela L. Eddy Central Michigan University

April 14, 2007Council for the Study of Community Colleges The Context Rural Community Colleges make up 60% of all CCs (Carnegie Foundation, 2006) –Small (2500 students) –Medium ( students) –Large (5000 or more students) Educate one-third of all CC students Cultural hubs Economic epicenters Pressed financially

April 14, 2007Council for the Study of Community Colleges Leading Rural Community Colleges Presidential searches not distinguish between contextual issues (Leist, 2007) Grow your own programs (Davis & Clark, 2007) Emerging definitions of leadership (Eddy & VanDerLinden, 2006) Leaders as learners (Amey, 2005)

April 14, 2007Council for the Study of Community Colleges Research Question How do rural community college leaders think about their leadership? –What role does the rural locale play? –What is the role of institutional fit?

April 14, 2007Council for the Study of Community Colleges Methods Phenomenology –Phone/in-person interviews –Semi-structured interview protocol Population less than 25,000 –15 of 28 colleges meet criteria –Invited both the vice-president/president Ultimately 13 institutions represented; 19 interviews  CSCC grant partially funded this research

April 14, 2007Council for the Study of Community Colleges Findings Heightened role of community Leadership development influenced by past experiences and number of leadership positions Leadership framing and influence within small communities

April 14, 2007Council for the Study of Community Colleges Heightened Role of Community Everyone knows your name Community connections Leverage of community leaders Colleges’ economic role

April 14, 2007Council for the Study of Community Colleges Leadership Development Newer leaders more structural; seasoned leaders more inclusive Match of past experience with current experience Rural youth

April 14, 2007Council for the Study of Community Colleges Leader Framing Aiding in sensemaking within the context Ability to speak to wide range of constituents Influence of board on meaning-making Grocery store politics

April 14, 2007Council for the Study of Community Colleges Conclusions Personal ownership –Community involvement –Influence of the college on region Need for grooming for rural leadership Web leadership involves community differently

April 14, 2007Council for the Study of Community Colleges Implications Succession planning for rural areas –Grow your own programs –Truth in advertising Mentoring for new leaders Role of systems thinking

April 14, 2007Council for the Study of Community Colleges Thank you!